Spain has ruled out withdrawing from the organization of the 2030 World Cup, even if the final is awarded to Morocco and played at the future Hassan II Grand Stadium in Benslimane.
This response came after Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), announced during a PAM meeting in Bouznika on Wednesday, September 9, that the future stadium would host the World Cup final. His Spanish counterpart, Rafael Louzán, quickly addressed the issue.
Speaking Thursday on COPE radio’s “El Partidazo,” the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) stated that Spain would honor its existing agreements with the other host countries, FIFA, and the government. He explicitly ruled out any withdrawal if Morocco ultimately secures the final.
“Spain has signed agreements with the other host countries, with FIFA and with the government for the organization of this competition,” Louzán said.
The RFEF president also described Spain and Portugal as “the promoters of this World Cup” and maintained that Spain has everything needed to be “the organizer of this great final.” At the same time, he stressed that FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, have not yet made a decision on the matter.
Louzán considers the next FIFA Congress, scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, to be “crucial for decision-making.” “When everyone rows in the same direction, we are unbeatable; Spain is unbeatable,” he concluded.
Model of the Grand Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane.
Despite this position, Spain’s withdrawal from the World Cup organization is not a realistic option, according to sources, even in the face of pressure from the Spanish far right. Such a move would expose the country to severe financial, administrative, and sporting sanctions, potentially ranging from fines to international isolation.
The debate over the final has also drawn comments from LaLiga president Javier Tebas, known for his controversial public statements.
Speaking during the presentation of the squad cost limit (LCPD) for the current Spanish league season, Tebas said: “Morocco was invited later to discuss it. We are world champions, we have the best infrastructure in our stadiums... If FIFA’s governance problems can be resolved, I am convinced that the World Cup final will be held in Spain. I do not believe a word of FIFA’s denials.”
For Morocco, Lekjaa’s position extends beyond the question of the final itself. The FRMF president stated that “Benslimane province will have the honor of hosting the 2030 World Cup final. Anyone aspiring to be part of the next government will have no choice but to develop this province.”
This statement places the organization of the final within a broader vision for the development of Benslimane and its infrastructure.
The centerpiece of this bid is the future Hassan II Grand Stadium, which will have a capacity of 115,000 spectators.
The venue would therefore comfortably exceed the 80,000-seat capacity required for a World Cup final, while also providing extensive areas for media, hospitality, parking, and the various operations needed to stage the tournament’s main event.
Spain, for its part, has been conducting a sustained media campaign for months to secure the final.
The issue has also been taken up by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who said on September 1: “We won a World Cup in South Africa, we won a World Cup in the United States. It is high time for Spain to win a World Cup at home. We will do everything to make that happen, have no doubt about it. We have all the necessary conditions for the final to be held in Spain, have no doubt about it.”
The final decision, however, has yet to be made, with Louzán himself acknowledging that FIFA and Gianni Infantino have not taken a decision on the venue.
